Lyra Health, which provides mental health benefits for large employers, became the latest healthcare technology startup to hit unicorn status on Tuesday, following a $110 million Series D round.
Google Cloud is investing $100 million into telehealth provider Amwell as part of a new partnership to equip providers, insurers and patients with technology required for high quality and more affordable virtual care.
Teladoc and Livongo are true innovators in healthcare, and the merger is a win-win for all parties. From a customer's point of view, the combination of the two businesses makes complete sense, bringing healthcare to one place and cutting costs and time for millions of patients. For employers, health plans, and insurers, it gives them a fantastic return on investment, as they can track employees' health, lower healthcare costs, and improve work performance.
Covid-19 has seen a massive increase in the use of telemedicine. While it may seem novel, it’s actually been around for decades and research shows it’s frequently just as effective as face-to-face interventions, if not better. But how well it works for you mostly depends on your healthcare system.
It seems almost surreal that just five months ago, telemedicine was still widely considered a “nice to have” and not a “need to have.” As soon as the coronavirus pandemic hit Rhode Island with full force, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island quickly made the decision to provide coverage for telemedicine services by all of its in-network providers with no cost to members. Telemedicine visits surged 50% in March, and now virtual health-care interactions are on pace to top $1 billion nationally in 2020, according to Forrester Research.
Going to the doctor isn’t always an option now, but not everyone has access to the necessary devices for virtual visits. A group of college students is trying to change that.